Lanyard

ABSTRACT

A lanyard for a power tool includes at least two belts including a first belt and a second belt attached to each other at a single junction. The lanyard may also include an accessory mounted on the belt that is freely rotatable around the belt.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, to UK PatentApplication No. 2017142.7 filed Oct. 29, 2020, UK Patent Application No.2018990.8 filed Dec. 2, 2020, and UK Patent Application No. 2109571.6filed Jul. 2, 20201, all of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a lanyard for use with a power tool,for example with a hammer drill.

BACKGROUND

Tradespeople, who work on construction sites, use power tools to make orrepair buildings and/or infrastructure on the construction site. Certaintypes of power tools, referred to as a portable power tools, aresupported and manoeuvred by the user whilst being used to perform theirfunction. Such power tools include portable hammer drills, portablesanders, portable electric drill/drivers, portable routers, and portablereciprocating, jig and circular saws. Often, the user has to support theportable power tool in an awkward position and/or at a difficultorientation whilst using the portable power tool. This occasionallyresults in the user dropping the portable power tool. Often the user canbe using the portable power tool at a significant height above theground. If the user drops the portable power tool whilst working at asignificant height, the portable power tool would drop a substantialdistance which is likely to result in damage to the power tool. This isundesirable as it prevents the user from continuing with completing themanufacture or repair of the building or infrastructure until areplacement tool is found. Portable power tools are also expensive toreplace. Furthermore, if another person was working below the user,dropping a portable power tool could result in the tool striking thatperson resulting in injury. It is therefore desirable to prevent theportable power tool from falling a significant distance if dropped bythe user.

A lanyard is a cord or strap which attaches an item to a person or astructure. For example, lanyards are often used on identity cards toattach the identity card to a person. Lanyards can be used to attachportable power tools to either the user operating the portable tool orthe building or infrastructure being worked on to prevent the portablepower tool from falling a significant distance if dropped by the user.The general concept of using lanyards to attach portable power tools tothe user or a structure is known.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a lanyard for a power tool is providedcomprising at least two belts including a first belt and a second beltattached to each other at a single junction.

In an embodiment, a first end of the first belt is attached to a firstend of the second belt.

In an embodiment, when the at least two belts are extended in a straightdirection, a plane of the first belt is parallel to a plane of thesecond belt.

In an embodiment, when the at least two belts are extended in a straightdirection, the first belt extends in a direction that is perpendicularto the second belt.

In an embodiment, a first part of the first belt is capable of beingattached to a second part of the first belt and/or a first part of thesecond belt is capable of being attached to a second part of the secondbelt.

In an embodiment, the first part of the first belt is attachable to thesecond part of the first belt using a first connector and the first partof the second belt is attachable to the second part of the second beltusing a second connector.

According to an embodiment, a lanyard for a power tool is providedcomprising a belt; and an accessory mounted on the belt, wherein theaccessory is freely rotatable around the belt.

In an embodiment, the accessory is axially slidable along the belt.

In an embodiment, the accessory comprises a hook strap for a battery.

In an embodiment, the accessory comprises a T-shaped hook connected tothe belt via the hook strap.

In an embodiment, the accessory comprises a spring strap for connectingto a building or infrastructure.

In an embodiment, the accessory comprises a carabiner, and the springstrap connects to the building or infrastructure via the carabiner.

In an embodiment, the accessory comprises a lanyard rope, and the springstrap connects to the building or infrastructure via the lanyard rope.

In an embodiment, the accessory comprises a spring, and the spring strapconnects to the building or infrastructure via the spring. In anembodiment, the spring is at least one of a U-shaped spring, a linearspring, or a helical spring.

In an embodiment, a cross-sectional size or a diameter of the springprovides a visual indicator of a weight of an item which can besupported by the spring.

In an embodiment, the cross-sectional size or the diameter of the springlimits a size or type of a carabiner that can be used with the spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a lanyardaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 1B shows a plan view of the first embodiment of the lanyard shownin FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view in the direction of Arrows B-B inFIG. 1B;

FIG. 2A and 2B shows first and second sides of a combined DEWALT® DCH133 hammer drill and dust extractor with the lanyard of FIG. 1 attached;

FIG. 3A and 3B shows first and second sides of a combined DEWALT® DCH323T2 hammer drill and dust extractor with the lanyard of FIG. 1attached;

FIG. 4A and 4B shows first and second sides of a combined DEWALT® DCH273 hammer drill and dust extractor with the lanyard of FIG. 1 attached;

FIG. 5A shows a view of the second end of the first belt with a buckleattached and with the lock strap open;

FIG. 5B shows a view of the second end of the first belt with a buckleattached and with the lock strap closed;

FIG. 6 shows a view of part of the strip of material which form thefirst belt of the lanyard shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a lanyardaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7B shows a plan view from a first side of the second embodiment ofthe lanyard shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C shows a plan view from a second side of the second embodiment ofthe lanyard shown in FIG. 7A;

FIGS. 8A and 8B shows first and second sides of a DEWALT® L shapedSDS+/SDS MAX hammer drill with the lanyard of FIG. 7 attached;

FIG. 9 shows a sketch of a cross section of the sheath;

FIG. 10A shows a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B shows a cross-section in the direction of Arrows A-A of FIG.10A;

FIG. 10C shows a cross-section in the direction of Arrows E-E in FIG.10B;

FIG. 10D shows a cross section in the direction of Arrows B-B of FIG.10A;

FIG. 11A shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B shows a side view of the U-shaped spring shown in FIG. 11A; and

FIG. 11C shows a cross section in the direction of Arrows G-G IN FIG.11B. Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Modern portable power tools often comprise a plurality of auxiliaryparts which are releasably connected to the power tool or to each other.For example, FIG. 2A shows a hammer drill as it would be used by a user.The hammer drill 100 comprises a main body 102 having a tool holder 103mounted at one end and a rear handle 104 mounted on the other. Mountedinside of the main body is a motor (not shown) and a hammer mechanism(not shown) which drives the tool holder 102. Releasably connected tothe base of the handle 104 in a functional manner is a battery 106 whichis an auxiliary part of the hammer drill 100. When the battery 106 isfunctionally connected to the base of the handle 104, it is both inmechanical and electrical connection to the hammer drill 100 so that itis physically supported by the hammer drill 100 and that electricity canpass from the battery 106 to the motor in order to power the motor whenthe hammer drill 100 is activated. Releasably connected in a functionalmanner to the underside of the main body 102 is a dust extractor 108which forms a second auxiliary part to the hammer drill 100. The dustextractor 108 comprises a main housing 110, a telescopic arm 112 and adust collection box 114. The dust collection box 114 is releasablyconnectable in a functional manner to the main housing 110. When thedust extractor 108 is functionally connected to the hammer drill 100, itis physically supported by the hammer drill. It is also capable ofperforming its intended function of removing dust and debris by suction,created by the action of the hammer drill 100 on a work piece, from aregion on the work piece where it is being created, when the hammerdrill 100 is activated and utilised. When the dust collection box 114 isfunctionally connected to the dust extractor 108, it physically supporton the housing 110 of the dust extractor 108 and stores the dust anddebris being removed by the dust extractor 108 from the region of thework piece which is being worked on by the hammer drill 100. It istherefore desirable not only to prevent the portable power tool, such asthe hammer drill in FIG. 2A, from falling a significant distance ifdropped by the user, but also all to prevent some or the additionalreleasably attachable auxiliary parts, such as the battery 106, the dustextractor 108 and dust collection box 114 from falling if they becomedetached from the hammer drill or dust extractor 108. Furthermore, it ismore desirable to maintain the auxiliary parts connected in a functionalmanner to the power tool or other auxiliary parts if the power tool isdropped. This prevents physical damage to physical connectors betweenthe auxiliary parts and the power tool as it avoids them beingforcefully separated and electrical damage to them when a power supply,such as battery, is abruptly electrically disconnected. It also enablesthe power tool to be immediately used after it has been recovered fromthe fall as all of the auxiliary parts remain functionally connected.

The present invention provides an improved design of lanyard.

Whilst the embodiments described below relate to a portable hammerdrill, it will be appreciated that the invention covers other types ofportable tools such as portable sanders, electric drill/drivers, andportable routers, portable reciprocating, jig and circular saws, aportable angle, straight or die grinder, a portable fastener, a portablestapler, a portable nailer, a portable impact wrench, a portablejointer, a portable planer, a portable calk, eat or grease gun andportable powered gardening equipment such as hedge trimmers, stringtrimmers and blowers.

Four embodiments will now be described with reference to figures.

A first embodiment of a lanyard according to the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 6, the first embodiment of lanyard comprisestwo belts 200, 202 which are attached to each other.

Each belt is made from a material comprising polymers made frompolyethersulfone (PES) with rubber incorporated into it.

A first metal rectangular loop 204 is attached to a first end 206 of thefirst belt 200 by the first end passing through the aperture 208 formedby the first metal loop 204 and then folding back on itself to lieagainst a part of the belt 200 adjacent the first end 206. The first end206 is then attached to the part of the belt 200 adjacent the first end206 by being stitched in well-known manner. It will be appreciated thatthe first end 206 can be attached to the part of the belt 200 adjacentthe first end 206 by other methods, such as, gluing, welding or fusing,and/or rivets.

A first metal rectangular friction buckle 210 is attached to a secondend 212 of the first belt 200. The first metal friction buckle 210comprises a rectangular loop with a cross bar 214 attached between thecentres of one pair of parallel sides and which extends parallel to theother pair of parallel sides in well know manner. Two buckle apertures216, 218 are formed by the rectangular loop and the cross bar 214. Thesecond end 212 of the first belt 200 is attached to the friction buckle210 by passing the second end 212 through the second buckle aperture218, then wrapping it around the cross bar 214, then passing it throughthe first buckle aperture 216 and then folding it back on itself to lieagainst a part of the belt 200 adjacent the second end 212. A first beltloop 220 made of elastic material surrounds the first belt 200 in closeproximity of the second end 212. The second end 212, when folded back onitself to lie against a part of the belt 200 adjacent the second end212, passes through the first belt loop 220, the first belt loop 220maintaining the second end 212 in a folded position against the part ofthe belt 200 adjacent the second end 212. The belt loop 220 is capableof being slid along the length of the first belt 200 to different axialpositions.

The length of the first belt 200 between the metal loop 204 and thefirst friction buckle 210 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of thesecond end 212 of the first belt which passes through the first frictionbuckle 210 locates against the part of the belt 200 adjacent the secondend 212. The position of the first belt loop 220 along the first belt200 is adjusted to accommodate the length of the amounted of the firstbelt 200 which passes through the friction buckle 210 and is folded backagainst the first belt 200.

A first lock strap 222 is attached to one of the sides of therectangular loop of the first metal friction buckle 210 which isparallel to cross bar 214. The first lock strap 222 is attached by afirst end 224 passing through the first buckle aperture 216 formed bythe metal loop and the cross bar 214 and then folding back on itself tolie against a part of the lock strap 222 adjacent the first end 206. Thefirst end 224 is then attached to the part of the lock strap 222adjacent the first end 224 by being stitched in well-known manner. Itwill be appreciated that the first end 224 can be attached to the partof the lock strap 222 adjacent the first end 224 by other methods, suchas, gluing, welding or fusing, and/or rivets.

The first lock strap 222 is capable of being attached to the first beltloop 220 by a VELCRO© fastener. The VELCRO © fastener comprise twopatches of material 226, 228. The first patch 226 comprises hooks of theVELCRO© fastener and is attached to the first belt loop 220 on a topside. The second patch 228 comprises hoops of the VELCRO© fastener andis attached to the free end 212 of the first lock strap 222 on a side ofthe lock strap 222 which faces the belt loop 220 when aligned with thebelt loop 220. Once the length of the first belt 200 has been adjustedto the correct length, the first belt loop 220 is moved to a positionwhere it can be engaged by the free end of the lock strap 222. The firstand second patches 226, 228 are then engaged with each other to attachthe free end of the lock strap 222 to the first belt loop 220.

The first friction buckle 210, when the second end 212 end of the firstbelt 200 is attached to the first friction buckle 210, can be attachedto the first metal loop 204. The first friction buckle 210 is orientatedso that the plane of the first friction buckle 210 is perpendicular tothe plane of the first metal loop 204. The first friction buckle 210 isthen placed in a position where one of the sides parallel to the crossbar 214 is adjacent a first side of the aperture 208 of the first metalloop 204 and then rotated so that the plane of the first friction buckle210 aligns with two opposite corners of the first metal loop 204. Thefirst friction buckle is then passed through the aperture 208 so that itlocates on a second side of the aperture 208. The first friction buckle210 is then rotated so that the plane of the first friction buckle 210is parallel to the plane of the first metal loop 204. The first buckleis the moved so that it lies against the first metal loop 204 with thesecond end 212 trapped between the first friction buckle 210 and thefirst metal loop 204. The first belt 200 is then tightened to theappropriate length by pulling the second end 212 of the first beltfurther through the friction buckle 210. When the first belt 200 iswrapped around an object, the first friction buckle 210 lies against thefirst metal loop 204 which in turn lies against the object. When thefirst belt 200 is tightened, the first friction buckle 210 pressesagainst the first metal loop 204 which in turn presses against theobject. This results in the first friction buckle 210 frictionallyengaging the second end 212 of the first belt 200 as it is compressedbetween the first metal loop 204 and the first friction buckle 210.

The friction first buckle 210, when the second end 212 end of the firstbelt attached to the first friction buckle 210, can then be locked tothe first metal loop 204 by attaching the first lock strap 222 to thefirst belt loop 220 by the VELCRO© fastener in order maintain the planeof the first friction buckle 210 parallel to the plane of the firstmetal loop 204 and prevent relative rotation between the two to maintainthe frictional contact.

The friction first buckle 210 can be detached from the first metal loop204 by detaching the VELCRO fastener 226, 228 to release the first lockstrap 222 from the first belt loop 220, slackening the first belt 200 bypulling the second end 212 of the first belt through the friction buckle210 in the opposite direction so that less of the second end 212 passesthrough the friction buckle 210, then detaching the first metal loop 204from the first friction buckle 210 by passing the first friction buckle210 in reverse direction through the aperture 208 in the first metalloop 204.

Two further belt loops 230 made from elastic material are mounted on andcapable of being slid along the first belt 200. The two belt loops 230are capable of sliding to positions adjacent each other and the firstbelt loop 220. A non-moveable stop 232 is mounted on the first belt 200to limit the movement of the belt loops 220, 230. The belt loops 220,230 can slide between the stop 232 and the first friction buckle 210.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10D, the non-moveable stop 232 can beformed by the end of the second end 212 of the first belt 200 beingfolded into a roll which is sufficiently large so as to prevent it frompassing through either of the two belt loops 230. In such a design, thesecond end 212 of the first belt 200 always extends through and ispermanently held by the two belts loops 230 as the non-moveable stop isunable to be removed from the two belt loops. The belt loops 220, 230can slide between the stop 232 and the first friction buckle 210. Insuch a design, the second end of the 212 of the first belt 200 cannot beremoved from the friction buckle 210. Therefore, a part of the length ofthe second end 212 is merely slid in an out of the friction buckle 210,whilst a part always remains within the friction buckle 210 and the beltloops 220, 230, in order to release or tighten the friction buckle 210.

The construction of the second belt 202 is similar to the first belt200. Where the same features are incorporated on the second belt 202that are on the first, the same reference numbers have been used. Thesecond belt 202 also comprises a second metal loop 204 attached to afirst end 206 of the second belt 202, a second friction buckle 210attached to a second end 212 with a lock strap 222 attached to thesecond friction buckle 210, a first belt loop 220 with a VELCRO©fastener, second and third belt loops 230 and a non-moveable stop 232(whether the non-moveable stop is attached to the second belt betweenthe second metal loop 204 and second friction buckle 210 or to the endof the second end 212) . The construction and operation of the secondmetal loop 204, the second friction buckle 210, the second lock strap222, the belt loops 220, 230 and the stop 232 are the same as thosefeatures associated with the first belt 200.

The first end 206 of the first belt 200 is connected to the first end206 of the second belt 224 at a junction 234 by being stitched inwell-known manner. It will be appreciated that the two belts 200, 202can be attached to each other using other methods, such as, gluing,welding or fusing, and/or rivets. The belts 200, 202 are attached toeach other in manner so that, when the belts 200, 202 are extended in astraight direction, the plane of the first belt 200 is parallel to theplane of the second belt 202 and the first belt 200 extendsperpendicularly to the second belt 202 as best seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Attached to the second belt 202 adjacent the junction 234 is a springstrap 236. A second non-movable stop 238 is attached to the second belt202 adjacent a first end 240 of the spring strap 236, trapping thespring strap 236 between the junction 234 and the stop 238 andpreventing axial movement of the spring strap 236 along the second belt202. The first end 240 of the spring strap 236 wraps around the secondbelt 202 and attaches to a part of the spring strap 236 adjacent thefirst end 240 by being stitched in well-known manner. It will beappreciated that the first end 240 can be attached to the part of thespring strap 236 adjacent the first end 240 by other methods, such as,gluing, welding or fusing, and/or rivets. The spring strap 236 can befreely rotated (Arrow A) around the second belt 202 so that it canextend radially in any direction. A circular connector 242 of a straighthelical spring 244, comprising a central helical section 246 with twocircular connectors 242 formed at each end, is connected to the secondend 248 of the spring strap 236 via a carabiner 250. The other circularconnector 242 is capable of connecting a lanyard rope (not shown) whichin turn can be connected to the user or building or infrastructure. Thecarabiner 250 is attached to the second end 248 of the spring strap 236by the second end 248 of the spring strap 236 wrapping around thecarabiner 250 and attaching to a part of the spring strap 236 adjacentthe second end 248 by being stitched in well-known manner. It will beappreciated that the second end 248 can be attached to the part of thespring strap 236 adjacent the second end 248 by other methods, such as,gluing, welding or fusing, and/or rivets

Attached to the second belt between the stop 232 and the secondnon-moveable stop 238 is a hook strap 254. A first end 256 of the hookstrap 254 wraps around the second belt 202 and attaches to a part of thehook strap 254 adjacent the first end 256 by being stitched inwell-known manner. It will be appreciated that the first end 256 can beattached to the part of the hook strap 254 adjacent the first end 256 byother methods, such as, gluing, welding or fusing, and/or rivets. Thehook strap 254 can be freely rotated (Arrow B) around the second belt202 so that it can extend radially in any direction. The hook strap 254can be freely slide to any axial position between the two stops 232, 238on the second belt 202. A metal T shaped hook 258 is attached to asecond end 260 of the hook strap 254. A T shaped aperture 262 is formedthrough the T shaped hook 258. The second end 260 of the hook strappasses through the top of the T shaped aperture and passes back onitself to attach to a part of the hook strap 254 adjacent the second end260 by being stitched in well-known manner. It will be appreciated thatthe second end 260 can be attached to the part of the hook strapadjacent the second end by other methods, such as, gluing, welding orfusing, and/or rivets. The T shaped hook 258 is capable of attaching toa battery 106 of a power tool 100 when the lanyard is attached to abattery powered power tool.

The first belt 200 is shown in FIG. 6. The first belt 200 is made from ablack material 400 with a yellow stripe 402 which runs the length of thefirst belt 200 (shown schematically in part in FIG. 10A). The secondbelt 202 is made from a black material only. By adding a yellow strip tothe first belt 200, the user can visually easily tell which strap iswhich and therefore which friction buckle 210 should attach to whichmetal loop 204. The colours of the first belt 200 have been chosen toreflect the colour scheme or livery of the DEWALT© brand. It will beappreciated the word DEWALT© (or other logo's) could also beincorporated into the belt 200.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the lanyard when mounted on a first design ofhammer drill 100 with a dust extractor 108 attached. FIGS. 3A and 3Bshow the lanyard when mounted on a second design of hammer drill 100with a dust extractor 108 attached. FIGS. 4A and 4B show the lanyardwhen mounted on a third design of hammer drill 100 with a dust extractor108 attached. The same reference numbers in these Figures denote thesame features on the different designs of hammer drills. The threedifferent designs of hammer drills 100 are types of power tools and thedust extractors 108 and batteries 106 are auxiliary parts connected in afunctional manner to the respective hammer drills, the dust collectionboxes 114 being auxiliary parts connected in a functional manner to arespective dust extractor 108.

In use, the first belt 200 is wrapped vertically around the main body102 of the hammer drill and the main housing 110 of the dust extractor108. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first belt 200 also wraps around the dustcollection box 114. The first friction buckle 210 is then connected tothe first metal loop 204 and then the first belt 200 is tightened. Oncefully tightened, the first lock strap 222 is attached to the belt loop220 using the VELCRO© fastener. The second belt 202 extends horizontallyand passes through the aperture 116 formed by the rear of the main body102 and the rear handle 104, around the main body 102 of the hammerdrill and/or main housing 110 of the dust extractor 108. In FIGS. 3A,3B, 4A and 4B, the second belt 202 also wraps around the dust collectionbox 114. The second friction buckle 210 is then connected to the secondmetal loop 204 and then the second belt 202 is tightened. Once fullytightened, the second lock strap 222 is attached to the belt loop 220using the VELCRO© fastener. The T shaped hook 258 is then attached to aclip of a battery 106. The free circular connector 242 is than attachedto a cable (not shown) which in turn is attached to either the user or abuilding or infrastructure. In the event the user drops the hammer drill100, the lanyard and cable prevent the hammer drill 100 from falling alarge distance. The helical spring 244 stretches slightly when the cableis extended to its maximum amount to absorb the impact on the cable, thehelical spring 244 acting as a dampener. The design of the lanyard issuch that the dust extractor 108, the dust collection box 114 and/orbattery 106 cannot fall separately. Furthermore, the lanyard maintainsthe dust extractor 108 connected to the hammer drill 100 in a functionalmanner and the dust collection box of 114 of each dust extractor inconnection with the dust extractor 108 in a functional manner when thehammer drill 100, dust extractor 108 and dust collection box 114 aredropped because the lanyard wraps around the three and prevents relativemovement between them.

The first embodiment discloses the use of a single lanyard comprisingtwo belts 220, 202 to maintain the functional connection of the dustextractor 108 with the hammer drill 100 and the dust collection box 114with the dust extractor when the hammer drill 100, dust extractor 108and dust collection box 114 are dropped. It will be appreciated that twoseparate lanyards can be utilised to perform the same function. In afirst arrangement, the first lanyard surrounds the hammer drill 100 anddust extractor 114. The second lanyard surrounds the dust extractor 108and the dust collection box 114. The first lanyard can maintain thefunctional connection between the dust extractor 108 and the hammerdrill 100 when the hammer drill 100, dust extractor and dust collectionbox 114 are dropped. The second lanyard can maintain the functionalconnection between the dust extractor 108 and the dust collection box114 when the hammer drill 100, dust extractor and dust collection box114 are dropped.

Alternatively, the two separate lanyards can be utilised to perform thesame function in a second arrangement. The first lanyard surrounds thehammer drill 100 and dust extractor 114. The second lanyard surroundsthe hammer drill 100 and the dust collection box 114. The first lanyardcan maintain the functional connection between the dust extractor 108and the hammer drill 100 when the hammer drill 100, dust extractor anddust collection box 114 are dropped. The second lanyard can maintain thefunctional connection between the dust extractor 108 and the dustcollection box 114 when the hammer drill 100, dust extractor and dustcollection box 114 are dropped.

It will also be appreciated that the first lanyard can surround thehammer drill 100 and dust collection box 114 and the second lanyardsurrounds the dust extractor 108 and the dust collection box 114 toperform the same function.

A second embodiment of a lanyard according to the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to FIG. 9. The design issimilar to that of the first embodiment. Where the same features in thesecond embodiment are present in the first embodiment, the samereference numbers have been used. It is also to be understood that thesame features function in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The second embodiment is the same except for two different designaspects.

Firstly, the second embodiment has only a single belt 202.

Secondly, the second embodiment comprises a sheaf 270 which surroundsthe belt 202. The sheath 270 comprises a first side 272 which locatesagainst a first side 274 of the single belt 202 (see FIG. 9). The sheath270 comprises a second side 276 attached to one side of the first side272 which locates against the second side 278 of the single belt 202.The sheath 270 further comprises a third side 280 which is attached to asecond side of the first side 272 and which locates against the secondside 276 of the sheaf 270. A VELCRO© fastener is located between thesecond and third sides of the sheaf 270. The sheath 270, when wrappedaround the single belt 202, can freely slide along the single belt 202.The purpose of the sheaf 270 is to enclose any free end 212 of thesingle belt 202 (shown in dashed lines) and hold it against the rest ofthe belt 202. The DEWALT© logo (brand) is printed on the external sideof the first side 272 of the sheaf 270. It will be appreciated that thecolour scheme of the DEWALT© logo is in the livery of the DEWALT© brand.

In use as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the single belt 202 extendshorizontally and passes through the aperture 116 formed by the rear ofthe main body 102 and the rear handle 104, around the main body 102 ofthe hammer drill. The friction buckle is then connected to the metalloop and then the single belt is tightened. Once fully tightened, thelock strap 222 is attached to the belt loop 220 using the VELCRO©fastener. The T shaped hook 258 is then attached to a clip of a battery106. The free circular connector242 is than attached to a cable (notshown) which in turn is attached to either the operator or a building orinfrastructure. In the event the user drops the hammer drill, thelanyard and cable prevent the hammer drill from falling a largedistance. The helical spring 244 stretches slightly when the cable isextended to its maximum amount to absorb the impact on the cable, thehelical spring 244 acting as a dampener. The design of the lanyard issuch that the battery 106 cannot fall separately.

A third embodiment of a lanyard according to the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to FIG. 10C. The design issimilar to that of the first embodiment. Where the same features in thethird embodiment are present in the first embodiment, the same referencenumbers have been used. It is also to be understood that the samefeatures function in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for onefeature. The spring strap 236 and straight helical spring 244 of thefirst embodiment have been replaced by a spring strap 310 and a U-shaped helical spring 312.

Referring to FIG. 10A, attached to the second belt 202 adjacent thejunction 234 is the spring strap 310. The second non-movable stop 238 isattached to the second belt 202 adjacent a first end 314 of the springstrap 310, trapping the spring strap 310 between the junction 234 andthe stop 238 and preventing axial movement of the spring strap 310 alongthe second belt 202. The first end 314 of the spring strap 310 wrapsaround the second belt 202 and attaches to a part of the spring strap314 adjacent the first end 314 by being stitched in well-known manner.It will be appreciated that the first end 314 can be attached to thepart of the spring strap 310 adjacent the first end 314 by othermethods, such as, gluing, welding or fusing, and/or rivets. The springstrap 310 can be freely rotated (Arrow A) around the second belt 202 sothat it can extend radially in any direction. A shaft 316 of a metalbolt 326 is attached to a second end 318 of the spring strap 310 by thesecond end 318 of the spring strap 310 wrapping around the shaft 316 andattaching to a part of the spring strap 310 adjacent the second end 318by being stitched in well-known manner. It will be appreciated that thesecond end 318 can be attached to the part of the spring strap 310adjacent the second end 318 by other methods, such as, gluing, weldingor fusing, and/or rivets. Two circular connectors 320 of a U-shapedhelical spring 312, comprising a two straight parallel leg sections 322interconnected by a central curved helical section 324 with the twocircular connectors 320 formed at each end of each leg section 322remote from the central curved section 324, are connected to the ends ofthe shaft 316, one connector 320 being sandwiched between the head 328of the bolt 326 and side of the end 318 of the spring strap 310, theother connector 320 being sandwiched between a nut 330 screwed onto theend of the shaft 316 of the bolt 326 and the side of the end 318 of thespring strap 310. A cover 340 surrounds the U-shaped spring 312. TheU-shaped spring 312 is capable of being connected via a carabiner to alanyard rope (not shown) which in turn can be connected to the user orbuilding or infrastructure.

The diameter of the two straight parallel helical leg sections 322 andthe central curved helical section 324 of the U-shaped spring 312 isuniform over the whole length of the U-shaped helical spring 312.Different diameter U-shaped springs can be used to support hammer drillsheld by the lanyard of different weights when dropped, the larger thediameter, the greater the weight it can support. The size of thediameter can be utilised by the user as a visual aid in order todetermine what weight of hammer can be used with the lanyard.

Carabiners typically have a pivotal lever which, when moved to an openposition, provide a maximum sized gap to allow items such as theU-shaped spring 312 to enter into the carabiner in order to be lockedinto the carabiner by moving the pivotal lever into a closed position.Different sized carabiners have different sized maximum gap, the largerthe carabiner, the larger the maximum gap. Therefore, if the U-shapedspring 312 is connected via a carabiner to a lanyard rope, a suitablesize of the diameter of the U-Shaped spring 312 can be chosen to ensurethat an appropriate size of carabiner has to be used to ensure that thecorrect carabiner is used with the appropriate U-shaped spring which isa visual aid to assist the user to choose the correct U-shaped spring312 and carabiner for the weight of the hammer drill being used in thelanyard.

A fourth embodiment of a lanyard according to the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIG. 11. The design is similar tothat of the second embodiment. Where the same features in the fourthembodiment are present in the second embodiment, the same referencenumbers have been used. It is also to be understood that the samefeatures function in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

The fourth embodiment is the same as the second embodiment except forone feature. The spring strap 236 and straight helical spring 244 of thesecond embodiment have been replaced in the fourth embodiment by aspring strap 310 and a U- shaped helical spring 312 which is the same asthat used in the third embodiment.

Whilst the embodiments described above relate to lanyards which are usedwith hammer drills, it will be appreciated that lanyards in accordancewith the present invention can used on other types of power tools.DEWALT® is a registered trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation.VELCRO© is a registered trademark of Velcro BVBA.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

1. A lanyard for a power tool comprising: at least two belts including afirst belt and a second belt attached to each other at a singlejunction.
 2. The lanyard of claim 1, wherein a first end of the firstbelt is attached to a first end of the second belt.
 3. The lanyard ofclaim 1, wherein, when the at least two belts are extended in a straightdirection, a plane of the first belt is parallel to a plane of thesecond belt.
 4. The lanyard of claim 1, wherein, when the at least twobelts are extended in a straight direction, the first belt extends in adirection that is perpendicular to the second belt.
 5. The lanyard ofclaim 1, wherein a first part of the first belt is capable of beingattached to a second part of the first belt and/or a first part of thesecond belt is capable of being attached to a second part of the secondbelt.
 6. The lanyard of claim 5, wherein the first part of the firstbelt is attachable to the second part of the first belt using a firstconnector and the first part of the second belt is attachable to thesecond part of the second belt using a second connector.
 7. A lanyardfor a power tool comprising: a belt; and an accessory mounted on thebelt, wherein the accessory is freely rotatable around the belt.
 8. Thelanyard of claim 7, wherein the accessory is axially slidable along thebelt.
 9. The lanyard of claim 7, wherein the accessory comprises a hookstrap for a battery.
 10. The lanyard of claim 9, wherein the accessorycomprises a T-shaped hook connected to the belt via the hook strap. 11.The lanyard of claim 7, wherein the accessory comprises a spring strapfor connecting to a building or infrastructure.
 12. The lanyard of claim11, wherein the accessory comprises a carabiner, wherein the springstrap connects to the building or infrastructure via the carabiner. 13.The lanyard of claim 11, wherein the accessory comprises a lanyard rope,wherein the spring strap connects to the building or infrastructure viathe lanyard rope.
 14. The lanyard of claim 11, wherein the accessorycomprises a spring, wherein the spring strap connects to the building orinfrastructure via the spring.
 15. The lanyard of claim 11, wherein thespring is at least one of a U-shaped spring, a linear spring, or ahelical spring.
 16. The lanyard of claim 11, wherein a cross-sectionalsize or a diameter of the spring provides a visual indicator of a weightof an item which can be supported by the spring.
 17. The lanyard ofclaim 16, wherein the cross-sectional size or the diameter of the springlimits a size or type of a carabiner that can be used with the spring.